Increase in Jewish All-day Schools Enrollment Reported in New York

December 22, 1960

NEW YORK (Dec. 21)

Enrollment in Jewish day schools has increased in Greater New York by 16 percent during the year 1959-60, while there was a decline of six percent in afternoon schools and 12 percent in Sunday schools, the Jewish Education Committee reported today.

While equivalent figures were not available for the current school year, partial results of a new survey by the Committee indicated that the trend would continue. Full-time enrollments in Jewish high schools increased by 5.1 percent last year, from 4,935 in 1958-59 to 5,186 in 1959-60. There was a sharp 46.8 percent increase in afternoon Jewish high school enrollment in the city, with a jump of 97.9 percent in the suburbs. Sunday high school enrollment in the city followed the elementary pattern, dropping by 19.3 percent.

The Jewish Education Committee survey showed a total of 150,913 students enrolled in Greater New York last year in 774 Jewish schools of all types. Of the total, 6,919 were in pre-school classes, 131,440 in elementary grades and 12,554 in high schools.

The survey also indicated an increase of 10.9 percent in attendance at Jewish high schools, either full or part-time. This trend, a JEC spokesman said, can be attributed to the efforts of the Committee and affiliated groups to impress parents with the need for “continuity in Jewish education.” He also cited improved standards in Jewosh elementary schools.